Day of intrigue ahead for White Sox
The White Sox were off Monday, and, considering they just completed a stretch of 35 games in as many days, it should have been a stress-free break.
That was hardly the case, as Sox manager Ozzie Guillen retreated to his off-season home in Miami while general manager Kenny Williams was at U.S. Cellular Field preparing for Thursday's amateur draft.
Based on their 72-90 record last season, the Sox have the No. 8 overall pick.
Williams has been out scouting college and high school talent the past few weeks, so he had little time to comment Monday on the firestorm Guillen ignited the day before.
Following a 4-3 loss in 10 innings at Tampa Bay during which the White Sox were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position, Guillen blasted the inconsistent offense.
"If we think we are going to win with the offense we have, we are full of (bleep),'' Guillen said.
The outspoken manager also expects some major changes before the Sox host the Kansas City Royals tonight.
"Just be ready, because I expect movement Tuesday,'' Guillen said. "I expect Kenny to do something Tuesday, and if we don't do anything Tuesday, there are going to be a lot of lineup changes. That's all I'm going to say about the offense.''
Williams reportedly was upset with Guillen's comments Sunday, saying: "Very interesting, very disappointing. It's never a good idea to throw your boss under the bus, especially when that boss has had his back as much as I have. I guess that lineup will be real interesting to see on Tuesday.''
On Monday, Williams didn't care to comment much further.
"Yes, we talked and, no, I don't have any comment or time to discuss it,'' Williams said in an e-mail.
Guillen didn't return phone calls all day Monday.
Since Williams hired his former teammate as White Sox manager on Nov. 3, 2003, he has had to deal with numerous Guillen outbursts.
Williams doesn't particularly like dealing with the headaches, but he has expressed his admiration for Guillen's passion -- albeit sometimes misguided -- countless times.
Guillen specifically referred to Williams in his postgame diatribe Sunday, but it was more an outpouring of frustration following another game the Sox should have won.
As for lineup changes, the slumping Nick Swisher (.201) likely is headed for extended bench time, and Jim Thome (.212) and Paul Konerko (.205) could be dropped even lower in the batting order.
Moving Alexei Ramirez up to the leadoff spot and sliding Orlando Cabrera back to No. 2 also could be a positive change.
After that, there's not much Williams can do.
Swisher still is considered an up-and-coming hitter, and Williams traded three quality prospects to get him from Oakland in the off-season.
Konerko is a 10-and-5 player, so he can veto any deal, and Thome has low trade value as he approaches his 38th birthday.
The White Sox have a long stretch of home games coming up, and the Cell is a hitter-friendly ballpark when the weather heats up.
But if the offense still is sputtering at the end of the month, Williams finally might take Guillen's advice.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Channel 26 today, Comcast SportsNet Wednesday and Thursday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Gavin Floyd (5-3) vs. Zack Greinke (5-2) today; John Danks (4-4) vs. Luke Hochevar (3-5) Wednesday; Jose Contreras (5-3) vs. Gil Meche (3-7) Thursday. All games 7:11 p.m.
At a glance: After a day off, the Sox are back in action. Most of the fireworks could come before the game. After going 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position in a loss Sunday at Tampa Bay, manager Ozzie Guillen went off on the White Sox' inconsistent offense and asked general manager Kenny Williams to make some changes. The Royals lost 12 straight before winning two in a row against the Cleveland Indians over the weekend. Greinke has an impressive arm, but he has allowed 9 runs on 14 hits over 13 innings while losing his last 2 starts. Contreras is 4-1 in his last 5 starts, allowing only 6 earned runs in 35 innings. The Sox play 13 of their next 16 at home.
Next: Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Monday
-- Scot Gregor